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GEORGE Koshy is not in it for the glamour or glory, but to make sure there is a better financial and structural standing in the Malaysia Hockey Confederation (MHC).
Koshy, who has hockey blood running in his veins, will be challenged by Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad in the May 13 MHC elections for the deputy president's post.
He is taking the dive head on, even though he knows that the MHC coffers are empty, while their organisational structure is hap-hazard to the core.
And even though only Kuala Lumpur has nominated him, as opposed to Nur Azmi who has 10 nominations, Koshy said Friday that he will not back down even though he has until May 9 to do so.
"I am not going to withdraw my nomination, and I am going all the way to voting day even though there is an escape window before May 9," said Koshy Friday.
His confidence stems from the feed-back that he has received after nominations closed on April 28.
"Many state affiliates did not nominate me because they felt that I was not serious about running for the deputy president's post. But now that I have made contact with the affiliates, many have thrown their support behind me," said Koshy.
The former Kuala Lumpur HA president as well as Malaysian Hockey Federation treasurer (before it became the MHC) said he knows that the financial and structural standing of the MHC is porous, and wants to come in to make them stronger.
"I will not gain anything from this position, as I already have everything I need in my life, and I am also not chasing for glory but to place the MHC in a better financial as well as structural position. I'm not going in blind-folded, but with many plans to help MHC.
And how is he going to bail out a bankrupt MHC?
"That will come with a strong CEO with a KPI to deliver the sponsorship side of matters. Hockey in Malaysia is a marketable sport, and I am sure with the right approach and planning, sponsors would not mind supporting our activities," said George.
In the women's deputy president's race, S. Shamala would be up against K. Maheswary. The vice-president positions, five for men and two for women, have seven and three candidates respectively but withdrawals before May 9 might see no contest but direct appointments in this section.
(Note: If the third lady gets higher votes than the fifth man, then three ladies and four men will make the veep).
DATUK Seri Subahan Kamal will be stepping into a hyena's den on May 13.
The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president-elect received an overwhelming mandate to replace Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah when nominations closed April 28, but the doors to many teething problems will open for him from now.
MHC has 16 affiliates, 14 states and Armed Forces as well as Police make up the numbers, and 13 of them nominated Subahan as the unopposed sixth president of the MHC.
Perlis did not send in nominations for any position, while the other two which did not name Subahan were Kuala Lumpur and Sarawak.
The first challenge for Subahan would be to fill up the empty MHC coffers, but before he saves whatever he brings in, he has to make sure the ring of creditors receive their long overdue dues.
The creditors range from players, officials, coaches... right up to the tea-man who provides vadai and other refreshments for tournaments and meetings.
The list runs into millions, and hundreds are waiting to be paid right after the elections.
Money is just a small problem as compared to what Subahan will face next.
Under-performing players, coaches, officials, office administrators and even umpires and technical officials have brought disrepute to the MHC to the extend that the International Hockey Federation (FIH) had to wave the big stick right across their nose before matters like the constitution was rectified.
Subahan is the current Selangor HA president and knows first hand, or has heard about all these problems, so there is no need to refresh his memory in the days leading to his proclamation ... safe to say that he is inheriting a motley crew of problems which need urgent attention.
But even before he steps into office, he might just inherit a council which is more keen on glory than working for the sport.
For, the nomination list lacks quality, especially among the vice-president nominations, which is the working arm.
He will have two deputies, a luxury not accorded to the last five presidents, and the task of handling the men and women will fall on his most trusted henchman and woman.
For the position of his right man, delegates will decide for Subahan between incumbent vice-president and current team manager Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad and former team manager as well as former Kuala Lumpur Hockey Association president George Koshy.
And for his right hand woman, Subahan has the choice of former vice-president's -- S. Shamala and K. Maheswary who are both steely in their own ways.
For the record, when nominations closed MHC affiliates had stood strongly behind certain candidates, but in the days leading to the elections, some states have started to sing to a different tune and the numbers could turn out to be just numbers.
This election is also very unique, as women have a 50 per cent say on who gets elected. So those who have been underestimating the ladies, beware of their wrath on May 13.
The old adage 'Figures don't lie, but liars figure' comes to mind when looking at the nomination list.
Subahan was unchallenged and also received the backing of 13 states, and it figures the strong support he has to helm the piping hot MHC seat.
However, the deputy president's equations look set to change as delegates start canvassing their choices.
Going by numbers Nur Azmi, who received 10 nominations, is going to whip Koshy who was only nominated by Kuala Lumpur.
And Shamala received backing from eight states, while Maheswari was supported by three states.
The race for the vice-president's post will see seven men battling for five slots, and three women for two slots... and the least said about this group is the better for them.
However, with the social media and messaging systems working overtime, and burning fingers way past midnight, there might be some upsets during election time.
Only one thing figures at the moment, whoever wins, Subahan will inherit a motley of problems which ALL need urgent attention, and he will be without a secretary until a CEO is sourced.
With Friday being Labour Day, good luck on your forthcoming labours MHC.
(Note: So far, Subahan has yet to openly back the candidates he wants).
20 others wil leave tonight fr seven matches against belgium n netherlands and three against clubs. frm fittest to unfit in one month..
AS expected, Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal became the sixth Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) presdient when nominations closed at noon Tuesday.
Subahan took over the hot-seat unchallenged, but both the men's and women's deputy presidents posts will be two-cornered fights in the May 13 elections.
Incumbent vice-president Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad will battle with former Kuala Lumpur HA president George Koshy for the men's deputy president's post.
While for the women's deputy president post, incumbent vice-presidents S. Shamala and K. Maheswari will lock horns.
There were seven nominations for the men's veeep positions with Datuk Rahim Ariff and Manjit Majid Abdullah seeking re-election. MHC adviser and Penang HA president Datuk Ow Soon Kooi is also seeeking to become a vice-president, and so if former MHC treasurer Datuk N. Radhakrishnan
Sathis Kumar, Kedah HA president, A. Vijayshankar and Datuk Wan Ahmad Nizam are the other hopefuls for the five men's veep positions.
The women's vice-presidents, two posts, will see a three-cornered fight among Juriah Abdul Wahab, Nik Zarah KAdir and S. Nagula.
Koshy, team manager for the last 16 years, was also the man behind the success of Malaysia Hockey League team that transformed from Arthur Anderson, Ernst And Young to Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club.
His challenger Nur Azmi is the current vice-president as well as team manager to the national seniors.
"I have been involved with hockey for a long time, from my school days, until the MHL right up to managing the national team. I know I can contribute in the administration side of the MHC, and thats why I decided to stand for election," said Koshy.
DATUK Seri Subahan Kamal became the 6th Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president when nominations closed at 12noon just now.
He had no challengers for the hot seat... more to follow.
